Dubai's dnata boosts UK airport operations

Dubai-based air services provider dnata announced on Tuesday it was starting operations for two carriers who have recently entered the UK aviation market.

The company said in a statement that its UK operations were going "from strength to strength", adding that more new contracts would be announced in the New Year.

At Manchester airport, Airblue, operating its first wide body A340 operation from Pakistan has signed a multi-year agreement for dnata to service its cargo handling business.

The carrier, which flies four times a week to both Islamabad and Lahore will be using dnata’s UK handling network and inter-airport trucking service.

“We were impressed by the partnership arrangement offered by dnata. We felt it was a real alternative in the market place and one that will help launch and grow our cargo product on this route,” said Ghulam Raza Channa, Airblue’s country manager, UK.

dnata also said that its London Heathrow team has begun providing cargo handling services for Aeromexico’s B767 operation three times a week to Mexico City.

As part of the agreement, the carrier will also have the ability to connect its London Heathrow service to the wider UK regional airports network by using dnata’s inter-airport trucking services.

“Our teams at London Heathrow and Manchester provide an excellent level of service to our airline customers and this reputation and commitment has helped build strong partnerships with carriers we currently handle and has played a major part in our success in winning new business,” said Gary Morgan, CEO of dnata’s business in the UK.

“We look forward to working with both Airblue and Aeromexico to help them establish their businesses in the UK market.”

Earlier this month, dnata said it had been selected by British Airways and Iberia to provide ground handling services at both Zurich and Geneva Airports in Switzerland.

The two International Airlines Group (IAG) airlines selected dnata to provide passenger handling, ticketing, ramp handling and de-icing services starting in February 2013.